Staff Reporter
THE National Unity Democratic Organisation (NUDO) political party has reached a settlement with Barry Rukoro, in which he has agreed to cease presenting himself as the party’s president.
A faction within NUDO had claimed that Rukoro was unconstitutionally elected as party president in September 2024. At the time, Rukoro defended the legitimacy of his election, which was attended by approximately 300 delegates. He argued that the decisions made by the delegates and traditional chiefs present at the gathering should be respected, despite the absence of other candidates contesting for the presidency.
However, Rukoro has now relinquished any claim to the party’s presidential position. According to the settlement agreement, the matter was resolved out of court, and the Plaintiff, Dr Esther Utjiua Muinjangue, will remain the leader of NUDO until a legitimate congress is held.
“The Plaintiff shall, as soon as reasonably possible, establish a joint Congress Organising Committee in accordance with the Constitution, which will be responsible for organising the congress and handling all logistical arrangements. In the spirit of reconciliation and unity, the parties agreed that the respondent, who appeared on the SWANU parliamentary list, shall renounce their SWANU membership. They shall retain their NUDO membership, which will not be affected by their previous status, and shall, with immediate effect, enjoy all rights accorded to members under the NUDO Constitution. The parties further agreed that the Plaintiff shall settle the outstanding legal costs of both parties,” the agreement states.
